In the wake of complaints regarding delayed issuing of domicile certificates in Jammu and Kashmir, the government is contemplating to empower Naib Tehsildars to issue the domicile certificates.

Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha had earlier ordered that the domicile certificates must be issued to the applicants within five days but these were being issued within the stipulated time due to which the government is now planning to allow Naib Tehsildars to issue the domicile certificates.

Long queues are seen in most of the districts of the Union Territory at the offices of Tehsildars who at present have the power to issue the domicile certificate.

The central government has in April this year rolled out the Domicile rules for people who have lived in the UT for the past 15 years and are eligible for a domicile certificate.  Section 3A of the J&K Reorganization (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020, under the J&K Civil Services (Decentralization and Recruitment) Act, a person who has resided for a period of 15 years in the UT of J&K or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10th or 12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K will be a domicile of the UT.

It has been learnt that the LG Manoj Sinha has spoken to the Chief Secretary of J&K regarding delayed issuance of domicile certificate after which empowering the Naib Tehsildars to issue them was being considered.

LG Manoj Sinha during an interaction with media on Thursday said that there were plans that Naib Tehsildars will be empowered to issue domicile certificate to reduce the waiting time.